Mullins, Samuel Richard (01/25/1939–09/21/1969). Sam Mullins from the town of Grinnell was at the College for one semester (1957-58) where he was affiliated with Gates Hall. From 1959 to 1962 he was in the U.S. Army. In September 1962, Sam joined the staff of the Eldora, Iowa newspaper as a newsman, sports editor and photographer, eventually becoming its Editor and News Manager. In July 1968 he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage that required hospitalization and a two-month recovery period.
Afterwards, Sam lived by this motto under the glass top of his news desk: “No matter what you do–do it right and be the best at it!”
On September 19, 1969, Sam suffered another cerebral hemorrhage while covering a high school football game for the newspaper, and he died the following Sunday. The newspaper stated Sam was an amiable man, a considerate co-worker, friend and devoted husband and father.
Sam was survived by his wife, Zelora Cassady Mullins, their two sons (Samuel R., Jr. and Stuart Van Mullins), his parents, three brothers and three sisters. (Rites Tuesday for Sam Mullins, 30, H-I News Editor, Eldora Herald-Ledger, p. 1, Sept. 23, 1969; A Tribute–Sam Mullins, Eldora Herald-Ledger, p.2, Sept. 23, 1969.)
